TO BOYCOTT, OR NOT BOYCOTT, THE CHINA OLYMPICS

There are more than a few people with the perception and opinion of; "I am not distancing myself from the world's problems or ignore the plight of Tibet and it's people. I like sports and I love the Olympics. Therefore, simply saying that this is purely about sports, not politics, so we shouldn't make it about politics."

This is one of the most non-thought out/backwards views, people could take. Wanting to enjoy a "Sporting Event" and not see politics, is understandable. However, when the politics are, some of the most heinous, on record, not just about "Monks/Tibetans," but also about: Taiwan's fight with China's rule over them in trade, politics, and overall living, Christians being thrown to the lions/in jail (almost like "Daniel Days"). Plus, countless of things and maybe backlashes, China's buying of almost all natural resources possible (worldwide), polluting the earth in ways the US could only hope to (joke), the fact that the COMMUNIST CHINA REGIME could tank the US dollar and economy, sides with RUSSIA blocking all UN substantial stuff, and is the biggest problem (even over middle east countries) in the future of America, over the next 20 years.

The athletes do not have to boycott and should not boycott the games, but they could where arm bands, "Maroon athletic jump suits & Uniforms" with RED, WHITE, & BLUE stripes down the side, or countless statements to the press after each win. HOWEVER, President Bush, even though he will be "talking to the Chinese under the table, in private," but there isn't any amount of talking that will achieve anything, with China. Which the rest of the world, seems to understand. France, Italy, Germany, England, Several African Nations, and other EU Nations are not sending their leaders/Presidents/Ministers, to the opening ceremonies, so Bush should not go either.

Whether anyone has seen, the Black Panther Fists on the podium, the boycott in ’80, or any other past Olympic political thing. Remember this, in 1972, Palestinians bombed and killed 11 Israeli Olympians (actually, just 200 yards away from Bruce Jenner, the USA Gold Medal Hero). Is that a big enough political statement? When is enough, enough? When does the American community and government stand up for the righteous? When does sports, idols, and other non-sequators take a back seat, to doing the right thing? We used to be, "The land of the free, home of the brave." When does the United States people, government and athletes look at those words, thru the correct lens? The US should be leading the world, in these events, not falling suit/not participating at all. Right?

I am not saying that the Olympic players should boycott, but make a statement with their uniforms, jump suits (during the opening ceremonies, being Maroon ’for the Tibetans’ with Red, White, & Blue Stripes), and using their mouths to speak up (to see if the Chinese will filter/surpress/or altogether censor, their words) after winning events, or any other time with the press.

What do you think about that?

Two "OFF LIMIT" Topics

FROM: TheThoughtSpigot
http://thethoughtspigot.com

Politics and religious topics are touchy subjects, for almost all people in America. People feel like they should not speak about the topics, for fear of being "politically incorrect" (no pun intended), they do not want to be labeled, and there is a litany of other reasons people have been pigeon holed, into not wanting to speak about these two topics. Politics, especially during an election cycle and possibly the most historic election in history, is a more expectable thing to speak of this year. However, religion is still an "off limits" topic.

Every religion has people that are on the fringes, giving the specific religion a bad name. Islam has been hijacked by groups like Al-Queada, "The New Black Panther Party" and others. Christianity has been linked with the "Pro-life Radicals," far right ideologues, and the money first and "word of faith teachers/pastors" (like Joel Olsteen, Benny Hinn, Ken Copeland, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, etc.). No matter what religion is looked at, there are always the past issues affiliated, with them. "The Crusades" (Christianity), "The 500 year war" (Islam), terrorism with Orthodox Jews, Muslims, and radical Christianity, are all things from the past. Although, it is a "touchy subject" dealing with present tensions, as well as, the fact people can usually not let go of past issues and strife. There is always the future, which brings opportunity, and opportunity brings all possibilities.

One can only hope, that thru the generations of today and tomorrow, religion will be a topic that can be not only spoken about, but can also begin to bridge the gap between people. Whether a person is a believer, an atheist, or an agnostic faith is a part of the human experience. Whether it is faith in people, faith in the hearts and minds of future generations, or actual faith in God, people must have some kind of faith, for the world to become whole again. The white supremacists in the upper northwest (in the United States), Al-Queada, Iranian K.U.D.S forces, and the countless other rogue and relentless forces around the world are striving to snuff out one thing across the globe, faith.

The last three blog entries, I have written, have not dealt with the usual politics, or sports, but rather choice and faith. I happen to be a Christian man. After living the first 25 years of my life playing baseball and basketball (thru college), working, dating, and being a "normal man," I was struck down and rendered disabled. Basically, home bound and left on my own for the last eleven years, I have found faith has sustained me. Faith in my God, faith in my family, and faith in the Christian values I hold dear are the things that get me by daily. However, in a world where there is few people speaking about religion, due to the "nonpolitically correct status," around in America, sometimes I need to see something that will bring me back to the present, in order to focus on what I have now.

I stumbled onto this picture and message. Sometimes a picture, or something else to trigger the mind, helps to bring a person back to what matters most in their lives. It shows them what is important, that the present is all that matters, and sometimes it shows the people that have come before us, to give us the chance to have faith in life, in people, and in the future. I hope this, no matter what political affiliation, religious persuasion, or wherever you are at in your life, it triggers something in you. Hopefully, it will bring you faith in something bigger, faith in anything, or will just enable you to have a reality break/check.

Peace,
DMAN-- TheThoughtSpigot.Com

(click on the picture to enlarge the script)

EAGLES, MORE THAN THE AMERICAN BIRD

An ornithologist is a person, who studies and maps the character traits of birds. A tidbit of knowledge, most people will not need to know in their lives, but one thing most people seem to be interested in, is flight. At some time in a person's life, they look up to the blue sky. They wish to soar through the crystal clear, blue sky, never looking down, and feeling the cool breeze brush across their cheeks. If for only just a moment, everyone could be a bird, for just a couple of minutes, leaving the rest of society on the ground below. Ornithologists, have discovered there are only three types of flight, in birds. There are birds who use (1) flapping, (2) gliding, and (3) soaring.

Most birds are "flappers." They are the birds, beating their hollow wing bones, as fast as they have to, in order to fly. It is a pretty self explanatory situation and description. The other set of birds, are birds who glide. They use a combination of wing beats and the wind to glide through the sky. They take off from a branch, the ground, or wherever, to a specified height. Once, they reach the height desired, they adjust the wings to glide along with the wind. However, they are bound by the wind yield, gravity, and a set of other features. These birds are more rare, than their counterpart birds, the "flappers," but are not the rarest of the birds of flight. The birds who soar, are the rarest and most complex birds, in the world. Eagles, are the best example of this kind of bird. The birds of soaring flight use the wind and jet stream to fly. The distinction of "soaring birds," compared to the rest of the bird kingdom, scientists agree, soaring birds have an almost blank mind, in mid flight. Only concentrating on the actual act of flight, using the jet stream to reach heights other birds can't, and they are able to do this thru training (from birth) and also thru an almost faith of the act learned from birth.

People are more like these three kinds of birds, then most care to realize. Some people are hammering away at life, like the "flappers" of aviation, never taking a break and just beating themselves to death, just to stay at mid flight, or where they feel is a safe altitude in life. Most of them, rarely take any chances, looking straight ahead. They do not stand for anything, becoming almost narcissistic in their plight to live, a "normal," yet non-confrontational life. They get up every morning to do the same mundane jobs, come home to watch the same television programs, and never have any real ideas and/or thoughts that will impact anyone, but themselves. There is a smaller group of people who are people are gliding, through life. They get just high enough to spread their wings, and impact a specific group of people. They have a direct agenda and it is to glide thru life, fulfilling the things that will benefit themselves, or a specific purpose. Most are either ideologues, leftists, and/or hypocrites, if they were to be analyzed. People who complain about the gas prices in the country, yet they glide thru life in SUV's and private planes. Maybe, they continue to preach of noble goals and things for others lives, but when put under the microscope, they are using their higher altitudes (over the common people, or "flappers") to manipulate systems, without having real answers. Continuing to look backwards, ensconce themselves with people of like minds and goals, but only to attain wealth, specific agendas, and keeping things in order, to benefit themselves and the other "gliders." Finally, the last group of people, and they only make up a minimal part of society. They are the people who are soaring. They do not have to think deeply on everyday topics, because the answers coming out of their mouth, is the truth. They know what truth is, as they are happy people, who others admire and see the fruits of their labor, and also their deeds put themselves behind the group. This type of person is found rarely, as they are soaring high above the fray, above the "flappers" and mundane, and most importantly are providing the checks on the "gliders"/elites/narcisistic people. However, they are not looking for the accolades, big salaries, and trivial things in this life, but rather are driven to soar above, by a deep and spiritual (whether religious, or not) soul. They espouse to rise above all of the things that truly do not matter, but dive deep into topics impacting the most of the people in the world.

In life, there are very few types of people. Most people (roughly 68-74% of people ages 16 to 45), in polls, do not believe there is an "absolute truth," allowing for a gray area where most people allow themselves to be held into, or some choose to live in. Most people, like the birds who are just building nests and flapping, or are gliding thru life, just enough to get what they need, do not think they can make any kind of a significant difference. Therefore, they go on self serving, no matter what the cost to the greater good. Another poll, proving this kind of thought, was taken by four different colleges, over the last six years. The people in the surveys, were asked if they thought that people could actually "change their lives, and/or thought." Between 75-83%, of those surveyed and polled, said that people would not change their thoughts, ways of life, and/or who they "essentially were." If this kind of thought process continues to keep on purveying, around the United States, the country will continue to move towards where the European Union is at, today. A country where people will feel as though, a few will always rule over the majority. This is far from where the United States "fathers" started, in making of the "Constitution," "The Bill of Rights," and even other things, as the civil rights movement, women's rights, and other significant changes in America. These things all started with a small group of people, soaring toward a common goal of change, for the betterment of society, as a whole. However, there are few people soaring at all. Instead, they continue to take the easy way out, focusing on themselves, never changing, or looking to change the people around them (the country), to suit themselves. There is a reason why the national bird is the eagle. The eagle is not just a symbol, but it is a beacon for every person in America, to realize they to can soar above and beyond. Every choice a person makes, is going to effect more than just the person making it. It is imperative, everyone looks toward the future, the choices to be made, and soar above the polarity, the constant banter of countless people serving themselves, and soaring over the partisanship, lying and deception of the people who want to step on whomever, to continue gliding into the same future.

The only person to stop this kind of mass hysteria, black hearted rhetoric, and obtrusive thinking is you. Soar above the rest of the "flappers" and "gliders" in the media, government, and in everyday life, who are holding you back. Only you can make a choice, to change and soar above the normal, or status quo.

$86,400 A DAY, A LESSON?

FROM: TheThoughtSpigot.com

http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

There was an arrangement, where a man with massive amounts of wealth, decided to give $86,400 a day, to a poor family of his choice. The only catch was this:

1. At midnight, $86,400 would be put into the same family bank account, each day. 2. They were able to withdraw, spend the money on anything, but the money would NEVER carry over to the next day.

3. At 11:59 PM, each day, as the clock struck midnight, the account would liquidate all funds and would deposit a fresh $86,400, in the account.
4. I will ask you to do something for me, sometime, in your lifetime.

Both, the family and the man, agreed to the terms. Everyday, the family would withdraw the money and keep it in cashier's checks, for the first 363 days. After the 363 days, the family decided to see how much money they had spent, saved, and would be making in the future. It turned out, the family was set for life, had plenty of nice things, and would be able to keep on investing and doing what they were doing. However, on the 364th day, their benefactor decided to come and visit the family. The family welcomed him with open arms, but was curious to the meeting and what was in store for the future?

The man brought in the whole family (Mom, Dad, three kids, and others gathered) and he said, "I have given you this money, $86,400 a day, for a year now. I do not care what you have done with the money, what you have left, or what you have saved. However, I do care about the exact amount of money I have given you each day. I have come now to ask one thing of you, and also to let you know that tomorrow will be the last day, a deposit of $86,400 will be given to your family. I am sure you have more than enough saved and left over, so there should be no problem."

The father spoke and said, "We are forever grateful to your generosity, what is it that you wish us to do?"

The man said, "I was given two years to live, because I have cancer. Therefore, I had the idea to not only help a family in need, but also to show them a special way of looking at something. Here is what I am going to ask you all to do and tell you my idea.

I gave you $86,400 a day, to help you and for one reason. There are 86,400 seconds in a day. You do not get them back, once they are spent, you will never see them again, once they tick on. Once, the day is over, you do not get to carry any of the seconds over, to the next day. Each second is precious, more so, than the dollars you have received. Each second of the day, represents a different, special, and unique opportunity for everyone in the world and yourselves. You may use it to change, stay the same, or even squander the time given to you. Although, when you are out of time, there is none left, and you never know when you time is up. This is why I have come today, to let you know, before I am gone (which could be any second), there will be no more money, and I am asking you this; I want you to go out and live each second of your life, do not take anything for granted, and I want you to spread this message, for all it is worth, to you."

The family agreed and the old gentleman left, and they agreed to stay in touch. That never happened, and they were unable to ever speak again. The old man was supposed to live another two to four months, maybe a year, due to his ailments. However, on the way home, from the families house, a drunk man missed a stop sign and slammed into the man's car. The old man died instantly, but not before he got his message out.

NOW, "I" SAY TO ANYONE WHO MAY READ THIS: "There is 86,400 second in a day and each one of them count, because there is not anyone in the world, who knows when they will leave this earth. Please utilize, your seconds to mend old wounds, take advantage of all of the beauty and challenges around you, try something new and make yourself a better person, and most of all, make and impact on those around you, those you do not know and those you do know. Look at the beauty in your life and be thankful, but realize that you need to focus on each second and do the right thing for yourself, but more over for the greater good, each second.

Time stands still for no one. In life, there is no dress rehearsal. Please, LIVE your life, because you do not know, when the sand will run out of your hour glass. On any time line, there is always a starting point and an end."

"THE IRAQ WAR, PETREAS, WHO WILL LEAD AMERICA AND......?"

General Michael Hayden, the leader of the CIA, or Michael Ware (CNN Foreign Analyst), who do you believe? Iraq has been shaky, over the last two weeks, or so, in having the Shiite Militias, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki going out on his own (in south Iraq, to battle, with little U. S. assistance and the British confined in an air base, outside Basra, like women), and now their are democrats and republicans alike coming out of the woodwork, like termites, with all kinds of rhetoric. Regardless, on CNN (in the middle of the week), Michael Ware's face is back on television. He stepped right back into his spot, preaching the doom and gloom, of Iraq's demise, after being absent for much of the last three months (due to the success and low death tolls). On "Meet the Press" Sunday, General Michael Hayden, the head of the CIA, was telling a completely different story. Saying, the Iraqi government is to be in the lead, in heading off of militia and Al-Queada, turning around his original comments in 2006 (saying the Iraqi government, would be irreversible, in the short term).

The common man and woman is not previed to classified information, bound by the press, media outlets, and listening to a variety of leaders, pundits, and sometimes complete morons, to figure out where to stand on the war. When Michael Ware, who comes out and says, "their is not any way in the world, with the United States 'bribing' the Sunni groups, not being able to get a hold on the Shiite militias, and the al-Maliki government (who is still cozy with Iran and Shiite causes) is not in control, there will be no way to win, in this civil war," people can believe him, or not. When the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, comes out and says, "We have gone to school on this (the Iraq war)," meaning the United States military and commanders have learned from our mistakes. He continued, "We have gotten much better against Al-Queada, we can see what is going on, and we should continue to keep getting better." These two men could not be any farther apart, on their comments, yet one has 100% access to all of the intelligence in the United States and the world, Ware has only what his eyes perceive and what he has been told.

Whether CNN's Ware, or General Hayden, are correct, is not going to be known, by the average American. Only a general feeling, a learning experience (by researching and studying nonstop, on Iraq and the Middle East), or a guess by Americans can tell who is correct and who is not. There are only two real questions left. One of these questions, Americans can, once again, do nothing about. The second question, may be the biggest decision for the United States citizens, since the American Civil War.

The first question is pretty obvious (it doesn't include the rhetorical and left leaning Michael Ware, at all), "What will General David Petreas say, in the next 10 days, to the White House and Congress?" If Petreas comes home, saying that we will need an extended stay, of the surge battalions, then the democratic side of the government (or the left) will come unglued. However, if he comes back from Iraq and says, "We are not going to gain any 'political' and/or other kind of gains, by keeping the military surge numbers up. Therefore, we will pull back and start to reduce forces, from Iraq. However, they will go straight into Afghanistan, to help on the Pakistan border, to battle the remaining and incoming Taliban forces and Al-Queada." The conservatives, republicans, and right will begin to howl, judging we are leaving prematurely and are caving to political polls and other "nonmilitary" roles. Either way, General Petreas is the only cog that matters in the machine, coming up, in the Iraq war. In a Presidential year, the democrats are to gutless to cut off funding, use any kind of a vote to bring troops home, or use the power of the people to reverse anything, he may say, or do. However, the American people must have faith, in the General in charge of the Iraq War, because the "common American" does not have any idea about national security secrets and intelligence, period.

The main question, all Americans have a say in, "What direction does the American voter, want the country to go in? Therefore, who should be voted the Vice President and President of America?" If John McCain is voted into the White House, then he will follow the Petreas strategy, do what the military leaders wish, and will be a complete hawk on all "National Security" issues. There is no secret, McCain's intimate knowledge of geopolitical and national security issues, due to his massive record, in these departments. However, on the other side of the coin, there is Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. They are basically the exact same on the Iraq war issue, as of now. Sure, Obama spoke out against the war, from the beginning. However, today is not the beginning and we are there, so what will he do, once elected? In the "Annis Bizarre" (complete facade and circus behind the scenes), Samantha Powers, Obama's foreign policy advisor, quit. Powers stated, "Behind the scenes, Obama does not have a plan to get the troops out of Iraq, in the nine months, he has promised. In fact, he is not sure how he will get troops out, or if he will get them out at all, due to the facts of how things change on the ground." Obama is going on shows and doing interviews with "The View," "Hardball with Chris Mathews" and other democratic (softball) venues, knowing he will not get the hard "policy issue" questions, at these interviews. Hillary Clinton, is basically in the same boat. She has played the "dove" and the "hawk," when need be. Sometimes, she is pulling troops out of Iraq, "because she is ready to lead on day one," but the next day (in front of veterans and blue collar workers) she either does not comment at all, or else she states, "It is insincere, to call out plans, this far out."

Where does the American people go, to figure out who is telling the truth? Who is going to lead? Why is Michael Ware only on CNN, when he is spewing filth on American troops and the war? Finally, when will the American people stand up, pay attention, demand the tough questions going to the candidates character and judgment (over the years, and not what they feel on a given day), and finally who will be the best candidate(s) to lead this country from the front, rather than from the politically correct position? Only one can hope, the American people can see, research, and learn to the best of their ability, who is a "real candidate" and who is going to take America in a wrong direction, in the next four to eight years.